Helping you find the ‘new normal’

The ‘new normal’ is a phrase many cancer patients and their families use to describe adjusting to life after a diagnosis. If you have just had a diagnosis, chances are your expectations, anxieties and priorities in life have undergone some changes or been shaken a little. This can be the same for friends and family of someone who has been diagnosed. There are practical changes, too. Medical appointments, tests and treatments can become a big part of your regular schedule. If you have started treatment, you might also be dealing with side-effects or physical changes in your body. There might be additional financial or legal concerns you did not have before. All of this takes adjustment and it can sometimes be too much for a person to adapt to these on their own and settle into the ‘new normal’ of life with cancer.

Even after treatment has ended, you may not return to life as it was. Treatment forces your body through many changes and unfamiliar situations in ways you might never have expected. It is a significant experience. You could feel like a different person with a changed perspective, and there is nothing wrong or even unusual about that. Just know you’re not alone.

Here are some ways cancer might affect your life where I have the training and experience to help you face these issues.

Body image

Cancer changes how people look and how they feel about their body. When someone first gets a cancer diagnosis, they might feel like their body has betrayed them, or they disassociate from it because it has become ‘a stranger’. Cancer can even just affect body image through the physical changes of treatments like chemotherapy, with hair loss and weight gain.

People who have breast cancer or have already undergone treatment might think differently about their body after a mastectomy. This is a dramatic, permanent change that leaves the body visibly different afterwards. However, it is still possible to love this body as much as before, in spite of the changes, or even because of them. If you have experienced any of these feelings, I can help you build a new and positive relationship with your body.

Sexual intimacy

Cancer can affect sexual wellbeing. This could be related to the body image issues, but there are other physical, psychological and emotional factors that can be at work. The diagnosis and treatment of cancer can be incredibly stressful, and this can affect intimate relationships. If someone is undergoing a treatment cycle, depending on the specific course of treatment they may feel less physically well or have lower energy. Chemotherapy and hormone therapy can also cause bodily changes like vaginal dryness and discomfort during sex. A combination of these factors can lead to a lack of sex drive or interest in physical intimacy. These effects can even continue after treatment is over. This is normal. Because it can impact both partners, I offer both individual and couple’s sessions.

Loss and grief

Grief is natural response to loss, and there are a number of reasons why someone may have these feelings during their cancer journey. It can be about loss of an old life, loss of time spent being ill or in treatment, loss of a ‘healthy body’ or even the loss of life opportunities and the things cancer made someone miss out on. For some, treatment might have caused the loss of fertility or, in the case of breast cancer, one or both breasts. Feelings of grief can happen at any time during or after the diagnosis and treatment process.

Grief can also be experienced by family and friends. As a result of the cancer-related stresses, family, friends and carers may suffer from depression or anxiety. People who are close to someone with a cancer diagnosis may feel like they should keep their feelings inside, be strong for their loved ones and not burden them, or like their own grief doesn’t matter as much. It can be a struggle to know how best to support loved one through this difficult journey. This is why I also offer counselling services for family, friends and carers of those diagnosed with cancer.

FAQs

Seeking counselling can be daunting, especially when you are already bombarded with so much new information about diagnosis, treatment and life changes.

These are some frequently asked questions from people considering counselling. If you have further questions, give me a call and we can set up your free 15 minute consultation.

If you’re interested, reach out. I would love to help support you.

What is counselling?
Counselling aims to facilitate emotional, psychological, physical and spiritual health and well-being. A counsellor’s role is to listen, be non-judgemental, build a safe and supportive relationship and guide you as you explore, process, heal and change. Whether or not you come to counselling with a specific concern, a counsellor can discuss your needs, help you make sense of your experience and deal with it in a healthy way.
What is the difference between a Counsellor and a Psychologist?

A counsellor assists people: “to develop understanding about themselves and to make changes in their lives”. It is expected that they ”work within a clearly contracted principled relationship that enables individuals to explore and resolve issues of an interpersonal or intra-personal nature.”

Source: Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia

 Psychologists are experts in human behaviour. Clinical psychologists help with the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses. Most psychologists also help mentally healthy people to find ways of functioning better.

Source: Adapted from Australian Psychological Society

Do I need a referral?
No, you can simply contact me to book an appointment
What are the fees and can I claim a Medicare rebate?

Individual Counselling: $165.00 per session. Couples Sessions: $200.00 per session.

I do not offer Medicare Rebates. These are reserved for clients who are assessed by a GP to have a Mental Health condition and are referred to either a Clinical or Registered Psychologist.

However, clients can claim a rebate if they have private health insurance please ask.

What happens in the first session?

You should arrive five minutes early, as you will need to complete a brief form to help me understand your life and concerns. The first session is a chance for me to get to know you and your goals for therapy. You will have the opportunity to share your story and concerns in detail. We can discuss a plan to best support you as well as confidentiality and therapeutic boundaries.

What is your cancellation policy?

Clients may cancel or reschedule appointments. However, if you cancel or reschedule with less than 24 hours’ notice or fail to arrive, a cancellation fee of 50% of the fee will be charged.
If you are unable to keep your appointment because of sudden illness or an unexpected personal emergency, please contact me as soon as possible.